Meet Ayah Atheel, a dedicated English teacher and proud mum from Baghdad who turned her passion for design and development into a flourishing tech journey. With a background in education and a self-taught love for UX/UI, Ayah joined She Codes Too to bring her creative visions to life through coding. Throughout the programme, she thrived - building real-world projects, networking with professionals, and even winning top honours in the capstone showcase. Now a confident freelancer with a growing portfolio, Ayah continues to balance multiple roles while pursuing meaningful tech opportunities, proving that with passion and persistence, anything is possible. Ayah was part of the Front-End Web Development and Business program, implemented by She Codes Too with the support of Baghdad Business School and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. This extensive, in-person, seven-month program ran from February 2024 to August 2024, graduating 22 women. Read her inspiring journey below.

Hello SCT! It's Ayah Atheel, based in Baghdad. A mom with a lovely kid. By day, I’m an English teacher, which is a journey that began with my graduation from the College of Education at the University of Baghdad. But that’s just one part of my story. When I’m not teaching, I’m getting myself into the creative world of UX/UI design, a skill I taught myself, and now I work as a freelancer. And because one dream wasn’t enough for me, I’ve also had passion for front-end development, turning it into a reality with SCT! 

Coding became my way of bringing my own creative designs to life and turning ideas into something tangible. It’s exciting to create things that can inspire others.

When I joined She Codes Too, I was surprised and inspired to see so many women eager to learn and grow. I couldn’t have been happier to share this journey with such a supportive community. The program I joined last year, pushed me to think creatively, problem-solve, and balance technical skills with business strategy. I’ve grown not only as a developer but also in understanding how design and functionality impact user experience and business success

My favorite moments during the training were presenting my projects. I was nervous but incredibly excited to showcase my work in front of such intelligent people and companies. It was a mix of fear and pride, but it pushed me to grow and gave me a huge sense of accomplishment.

Being voted among the top presentations in the portfolio showcase event, and then having my website crowned the top project in the final showcase. Twice chosen by the audience? Still feels unreal!

Having a foreign mentor who shared her experience and guided me in building my LinkedIn and networking was a game changer. As for the guest speakers, some of them are still in my network, and I reach out whenever I have questions. They’ve been incredibly supportive and generous with their insights.

After graduating from the front-end web development and business program, I immediately got a job in a position that suits me both professionally and personally. I landed my first job as a Front-End Developer at Baly.

Life’s been busy in the best way. I’m still getting job offers and interviews here and there, while searching for the right role that truly fits my lifestyle. In the meantime, I’m freelancing, and every project I’ve landed so far has come through the connections I’ve built.

Since graduating from She Codes Too, I’ve shifted from learning to doing, taking on freelance projects, building real-world experience, and growing my professional network.

After She Codes Too, I had a strong portfolio, real project experience, and the skills to communicate my value in interviews. It’s also become a strong addition to my CV, opening more doors in my job search.

The program helped me understand my strengths and how to apply them not just in tech, but in daily life. For example, when solving problems, I now break them down step by step, just like I do when tackling a complex design project. It’s about approaching challenges with a clear mindset and the right tools, whether it’s a work task or something at home.

Presenting in front of an audience was a real turning point. It made me realize how much I enjoy sharing my work, and it felt like the perfect fit for me. I now see myself as someone who can own the stage, and it’s something I want to do more in the future.

In Iraq, women in tech are still a small group, but programs like She Codes Too are changing that. They’re giving women the skills and support to break into the field, helping us connect with others and create opportunities. Personally, it’s helped me see that I can be part of that change, even in a field where women are few.

It’s not wrong to have more than one passion, but it is wrong if you’re not working on them. If you want to join the tech field or start learning to code, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start now, even with small steps. Join communities like She Codes Too for support and learn at your own pace. The key is consistency and being open to new opportunities—trust me, you’ll grow into it

Balancing being a mom, a teacher, and a freelancer wasn’t always easy, but I managed it by sticking to a strict time management method. I followed the Pomodoro Technique, where I broke my tasks into focused intervals, giving me time to juggle everything efficiently. This method helped me stay on track and make sure nothing was left behind, even with all the roles I’m balancing.

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